France are undoubtedly in the form of their lives right now. In the last six months alone they've smashed New Zealand and won their first Grand Slam in 12 years. With a home World Cup on the horizon next year as well they are the team to beat and a team that Ronan O'Gara would rather avoid.
Ronan O'Gara on France's World Cup chances
Speaking at the launch of the Aviva Mini Rugby Festival Ireland and Munster legend Ronan O'Gara spoke about France, they're likelihood of winning of the World Cup and he had his say on who he'd rather face in a World Cup quarter final, Les Bleus or New Zealand.
Ireland's perpetual quest to win a World Cup quarterfinal looks like it could stretch to 2027 as Ireland are likely to face either France or the All Blacks should each team make it out of the group stage at next year's World Cup. It's terrible vista for Ireland: face the always mighty All Blacks or try to knock off the hosts and reigning Grand Slam winners.
ROG has coached in both countries and would rather face New Zealand, which says a lot about how good France are.
Aviva Mini Rugby Festivals Launch 23/3/2022
Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Dan Sheridan
At test level, if you're a French you'll be excited to see where this will end because I think they'll have competition for places, I think they have strength in depth, I think they have a very shrewd coaching ticket, so I'd say they'll be excited about what the future holds, that's for certain.
On current form I think France are more dangerous (than New Zealand), I suppose I was at the ground for the Ireland-France game and it was a very powerful atmosphere. The French were up for it and they got in behind their team. I don't know if it spooked Ireland but it certainly got France in the game after 60 seconds, similar atmosphere in France-England on the weekend.
There's huge anticipation for this World Cup, there's huge excitement building. This is their time, they feel and I just think in a 50/50 game sometimes the crowd has such an important role
I'd probably give a 2% advantage to France. I'd prefer to play New Zealand than France in that quarter-final.
There's still a lot of time to go until the World Cup next year but at the moment it's hard to bet against France in the current form they're on. It's certainly set to be an interesting tournament next year.
Pictured is Legendary Irish & Munster Rugby player and current La Rochelle Head Coach Ronan O’Gara at the launch of this year’s Aviva Mini Rugby Festivals in Aviva Stadium. Six camps, with over 2,000 participants, are set to take place across the country. Four provincial festivals will take place in April, before the National Festival takes places at Aviva Stadium, the Home of Irish Rugby, in May. To learn more about Aviva Mini Rugby Festivals, please visit https://www.aviva.ie/sponsorship/irfu/minirugby/, keep an eye out on Irish Rugby social media channels in the coming weeks, or for more information, follow Aviva Ireland across Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
SEE ALSO: Quiz: How Well Do You Remember The 2022 Six Nations?
